WEST VIRGINIA ACTING CAMPS & CLASSES
Camps and classes for West Virginia kids, teens, and adults that have a special focus on acting in the theatre. Many of these West Virginia acting education programs also focus on singing, dancing and music. Most programs present a performance on the last day of classes. Most of the camps are day camps, but some are residential.
Contact each individual organization via their website for updated program date, place, and registration information.
West Virginia University Summer Acting Academies
Morgantown, VA area
Summer Acting Academy
Teen Acting Academy
Youth Acting Academy
Each year, the classes offered will be modified slightly to offer variety and utilize our instructors’ specialized areas of expertise. Below are a few examples of our offerings:
Acting
This class will investigate techniques to deepen observation and listening skills, and will incorporate the use of objectives, obstacles, and given circumstances. Scene work will be explored using specially selected contemporary and classical texts.
Movement
This course will introduce students to Anne Bogart’s Viewpoints, a system for observing, understanding and analyzing movement. Through the use of structured improvisations based on the nine viewpoints, participants will gain an awareness of composition in space, which will then be used to create movement piece for the showcase performance.
Monologues
Participants will have the opportunity to synthesize skills learnt in other classes in order to present themselves well in a monologue audition situation.
Voice and Speech
This class will cover the freeing of the voice through the release of tension and explore warm ups, projection and resonance, as well the embodiment of text and language.
Character Masks
This class will explore bringing different characters to life through the use of masks.
Improvisation
Spontaneity, Awareness, Concentration and Trust! In this class, participants will get in touch with their natural instincts and impulses, learn to take risks, building a sense of trust and support with their fellow students and themselves.
Stage Combat
This class explores the physical preparation for, and safe use of hand-to-hand combat techniques for the stage.
Rehearsal/Production
Time will be spent working on a final demonstration, providing students the opportunity to apply knowledge acquired in the other courses.
Film Acting
Learning the basics for working on camera. Participants will have the chance to see themselves on screen and analyze important elements of film acting and auditioning.
Playwriting
Through various writing exercises, participants learn to write and present short scenes on issues of interest to them.
Musical Theatre
The exploration of singing and dancing for the stage, including acting the song.
Website: https://theatre.wvu.edu/summer-academies/summeracting
The Old Opera House Theatre Company
Charles Town, WV area
Educating children in the performing arts is at the center of the Old Opera House's mission. The Old Opera House Dance Studio offers classes in ballet, jazz, tap, hip-hop, and Broadway style dance for dancers from ages 3 to 18. The Old Opera House Acting Studio offers classes for young theatre performers from ages 8 to 18. And the Old Opera House Voice Studio trains young vocalists in the proper techniques to get the most out of their voices helping them to sing with strength and clarity.
These intimate performing arts studios are run by experienced, dedicated instructors who have a strong desire to develop each performer to his or her full potential. In each of these studios, young performers develop a respect for themselves, their fellow performers, and the performing arts.
Website: https://www.oldoperahouse.org
Summer Arts Camp
Charleston, WV area
Summer Arts Camp is...
a one or two week educational visual and performing arts camp, offering instruction to beginner through advanced students ages preschool to 18 years of age.
Primary Camp (pre-2nd grade)
The Primary Camp for Preschool-2nd graders is a half-day, week-long camp that incorporates a daily core curriculum of theatre, music, dance and visual arts. Students are placed in groups according to age and ability and stay with their group all day. Exploration into each discipline with talented artists is geared towards the ability of each group. Students will showcase their work for parents on the last day of camp. Cost includes art supplies, snacks, drinks, and a camp t-shirt.
Junior Camp (3rd-6th grade)
The Junior Camp for 3rd-6th graders is a full-day, two-week-long camp. Six elective classes each day allow the student to gain specialized skills in acting, art, music, and dance. Students select their curriculum based on interest and ability. One of the highlights of this camp is the production block during which all campers will participate in some aspect of a mini-theater production – whether they design and build the set or perform their talents in the production. Students will showcase their work for parents on the last day of camp. We also have theme days and various activities and games scheduled during a recreation period. Tuition includes art supplies and every camper gets a FREE camp t-shirt
Senior Camp (7th-12th grade)
The Senior camp, geared towards students in grades 7-12, offers a curriculum that will challenge and motivate first-time and experienced students alike. Students have many options in which to explore the scope of (and gain specific skills in) their areas of interest. See Senior Camp Class Description for more details. Campers will participate in six elective classes each day. Students select their curriculum based on interest and ability. One of the highlights of this camp is the forums provided for participants that sign up. The open-discussion forums cover subject matters that are relevant to student artists such as “How do I prepare for a college education in the arts,” “Is it possible to make a living as an artist,” “Meet the Artist: the Real-Life Story of a Local Professional Artist,” etc. Students will showcase their work to parents on the last day of camp. Tuition includes art supplies and every camper gets a FREE camp t-shirt.
Website: https://www.wvsummerartcamp.com
Theatre West Virginia
Beaver, WV area
We offer professional training in drama and theater arts for ages 8 to to adults. If you’re interested in acting, vocals, movement and dance, improv or acting for tv. you’re in the right place!
Acting For The Camera (Ages 12+)
Learn the foundations of film acting from professionals with experience on and off screen! In this class, students will learn the techniques of acting for film, learn to edit their own films, and create a reel for professional use!Intro to Acting
All great actors start their journey with the basics! In intro to Acting, students will learn and practice the fundamentals of theatre. This class will help students learn about building a character, basic stage directions, and even have the opportunity to perform in a one act show!
Musical Theatre
Musical theatre is one of the most fun and popular forms of theatre today! In this class, students will learn skills that apply to all areas of musical theatre with focus on vocal technique, acting through song, and basic principles of stage performance. This course will use both modern and classical musicals to teach students to have fun on stage and feel confident in musical performances!
Youth Acting & Improv
Improvisation is one of the most useful tools in an actor’s repertoire. Thinking on your feet can be challenging, but also freeing in practice and performance. In this course, actors will learn the basics of improvisation, listening, reacting, and more. Students l will grow in confidence and learn skills that can be applied to all areas of acting performance!
Website: https://www.theatrewestvirginia.org
Morgantown Theatre Company
Morgantown, WV area
MTC provides school age children with a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in a variety of theatre arts activities. Each semester, every MTC student “gets a part” with direct on-stage experience. Besides acting, singing and dancing, MTC students develop behind the scenes skills in set and prop design, lighting, sound effects, makeup, stage management, and even directing. These activities help build self-confidence, teamwork, responsibility, problem solving, communication, and leadership skills.
Morgantown Theatre Company offers two semesters of fun for students during the school year. Students in grades K-2 can enjoy our Fun With Drama classes which offer a variety of activities that help students gain skills in Public Speaking, Communication, Confidence, Teamwork and Friendship while preparing them for the stage.
Students in grades 3-12 can audition and enroll in our Main Stage Production. The Main Stage Production allows students to take part in a live production while making new friends in a positive, dynamic, fun environment. They will be taught how to work well with others, build strong relationships with fellow students, achieve self-confidence and learn to think on their feet.
Morgantown Theatre Company also offers a five-week summer program for children in grades K-6 where youth can hone their craft of acting, singing and/or dancing. Students will gain performance skills and experience a professional rehearsal process with summer classes at MTC.
Website: http://morgantowntheatrecompany.org
Greenbrier Valley Theatre
Lewisburg, WV area
Greenbrier Valley Theatre's Youth Education Program operates with a mission to provide ongoing, inclusive, quality education in theatre and the performing arts. The opportunities offered through this program engage students in activities and exercises that challenge their ability and promote intellectual, creative, and personal growth.
Our successful Youth Education Program includes after-school drama classes on-site, a partnership with Rainelle Elementary, a summer drama camp, intern/apprentice opportunities for college/high school students, student productions, professional productions with student matinees, and much more.
We aim to enable youth to develop important life skills that positively influence their everyday choices so that they may lead healthy, fulfilled lives and contribute meaningfully to their communities now and in the future. Specifically, our programs provide an outlet for students to exercise and improve those skills, including empathy, public speaking, understanding and implementing communication theory and principles, critical thinking, effective problem solving, collaboration, and imagination. Through the development and regular use of these skills, we prepare our students for success in every facet of their lives, now and in adulthood.
Website: https://www.gvtheatre.org
More West Virginia Acting Camps and Classes will be listed soon.
RESOURCES
Of course a website cannot tell you all the information you need to know about preparing yourself to be an actor: unions, contracts, agents, casting, auditions, and the myriads of other things actors should learn about the acting business.
Below are a number of resources that will help you learn about such things to get you on the right road to becoming a successful actor.
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